My long-term research interests lie in the fields of immunological tolerance and autoimmunity. My laboratory concentrates on the inductive and regulatory events of the autoimmune pathway.

We are pursuing 4 major lines of investigation:

1. The investigation of i) HLA and ii) non-HLA genes that contribute to the autoimmune diathesis. We are employing standard and next-generational technologies to pinpoint diseases susceptibility loci in complex diseases with a multifactorial etiology. Our goal is to define the functional role of risk genes in disease development using in vitro and in vivo model systems.

2. The investigation of autoimmune induction and progression in the skin by the detailed study of the fine molecular interactions between MHC II-antigen-T cell receptor. Specifically, we are characterizing MHC- peptide complexes capable of triggering autoimmune T cells in pemphigus vulgaris. Our goal is to i) determine the process of self-epitope selection, ii) determine the frequency, phenotype and receptor repertoire of self-epitope reactive effector and regulatory T cells, and iii) determine the functional interplay between T and B lymphocytes that controls the production of pathogenic auto-antibodies.

3. The investigation of biological pathways and networks that contribute to the development of autoimmunity in the skin disease via integrated systems biology based strategies and high throughput technologies. Specifically, we are employing microarray platforms to identify disease susceptibility genes and to define transcriptional profiles and proteomic biomarkers in the skin and blood of patients. Our goal is to illuminate genomic and proteomic programs relevant for i) disease induction, ii) disease progression, and iii) response to therapy.

4. The investigation of autoimmune pathology at the nanoscale. Specifically, we are developing and applying cutting-edge nanorobotic technologies to link nanostructural changes at the cell surface to functional events associated with autoimmune events in the skin. Our goal is to develop advanced technology to i) provide a new level of detail regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms of autoimmunity, ii) predict cellular behavior and investigate mechanisms relevant to the development and progression of autoimmune responses, and iii) screen for novel therapeutic agents operational at the tissue level.


The common goal of the studies outlined above is to develop improved tools that support rational clinical decision making for disease diagnosis and prognosis, and further to uncover novel targets for immune intervention and potentially gene therapy in autoimmune disease to provide personalized and precision medicine.

Autoimmune Conditions, Autoimmunity, Clinical Informatics, Clinical Research, Dermatological Immunology, Dermatological Immunology – Clinical and Laboratory, Dermatology, Gene Expression, Gene Sequencing, Genomics and proteomics, Health Services Research, Immunology, Inflammation, Molecular Basis of Disease, Molecular genetics, Nanotechnology, Omics & Big Data, Patient Centered Outcomes, Preclinical Research, Proteomics, Real-world approaches, RNA, Transcription and Translation, Transcriptomics, Translational Research, Whole Genome Sequencing

Adults, Seniors/Elderly

Physician Gender:

Male